Drug & Alcohol Rehabs in Northern Ireland

Health statistics revealed that in 2020 there were nearly 4,500 people registered on the substance misuse database in Northern Ireland who needed support for their substance addiction.

Over 30% of these people on the database were assessed as engaging in problematic polysubstance use.

In 2019, Northern Ireland experienced the highest number of deaths due to alcohol misuse ever recorded, which astonishingly rose by one-fifth since the 2018 figures were released.

Approximately 70% of people who consumed drugs did so daily, while nearly half of the people receiving support for their alcohol use problems admitted to drinking daily.

Over 45% of the people on the database who had reported both heavy alcohol and drug use were in the 26-39 age group.

These numbers are shocking and sadly indicate how vital drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland truly is.

Get the support you need from a drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland by giving our expert team a call on 0800 111 4108

Why do people engage in substance use?

Alcohol and drugs such as heroin, cannabis and cocaine are psychoactive substances that can change the way we think, feel and behave.

This is because they have a direct effect on our central nervous system, changing our internal brain chemistry and biology.

Many of these effects are very appealing to recreational users who seeking to:

• Gain new sensory experiences by using hallucinogenic drugs.
• Obtain high feelings of euphoria.
• Make them calm, relaxed and more confident.
• Elevate their low mood.
• Make them more productive at work and study by boosting concentration and focus.

Whatever your reasons for engaging in substance use, get help from a drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland by calling us today on 0800 111 4108

How is addiction diagnosed?

Doctors, psychiatrists and substance misuse professionals use the same DSM-5 criteria to diagnose alcohol addiction and any form of drug addiction.

Some of the important points for diagnosing substance-based addictions include:

• Noticing a significant Increase in substance use (including the amount taken or frequency of use), for example, anyone regularly drinking 30+ units per week and above.
• A deterioration in the person’s physical and mental health.
• An inability to stop taking the substance, even if they wish to do so (indicating a loss of control).
• The substance user may stop engaging in hobbies and leisure activities and social groups
• They will be unable to fulfil daily obligations (e.g. job, university, family life).
• They will have an increased physical tolerance to the substance.
• Withdrawal symptoms appear when the person stops taking the substance (indicating physical dependence).

If you think that you might need the help of a drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland, talk to our team on 0800 111 4108

Carrying out a full assessment

Upon calling us, we’ll need to carry out an assessment in order to determine what kind of treatment is best suited to your needs.

It may be that outpatient treatment is more appropriate for you than residential treatment, or that you can undergo the process of detoxification within the comfort of your own home.

It all depends on the severity of your addiction as well as how long you’ve been addicted to drugs or alcohol.

The assessment will take around 10 minutes, after which we’ll start to look for the right treatment provider in Northern Ireland for you.

Enlisting Rehab 4 Alcoholism can save you a lot of time – time that could be better spent focusing on your recovery

Begin the admissions process to enter a drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland today by calling us on 0800 111 4108

A tailored treatment programme

When you embark on addiction treatment in Northern Ireland, you can be confident that you stand a great chance of making a full recovery.

The experts at the clinic will design a treatment programme for you that is tailored to your unique needs.

You may be given medication to help combat the unpleasant and potentially dangerous side effects of drug or alcohol withdrawal.

The most common drug, in this case, is Librium, which is an effective alcohol substitute. In taking this drug, you’ll ensure that the risk of you experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as seizures is vastly lowered.

The process of withdrawing from alcohol can be tough, even with the appropriate medication.

That’s why you’ll be assisted by an experienced team of professionals around the clock.

Ensure that you get a treatment program that works for you by attending a first-rate drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland – call us on 0800 111 4108

The foundation of rehab treatment for drug and alcohol addiction in Northern Ireland

The approach to addiction treatment is based on three key principles:

1. Abstinence

Drug and alcohol rehab centres in Northern Ireland follow the disease model of addiction and therefore base their treatment programmes on helping the client achieve total abstinence from the substance.

Any other approach like harm reduction could easily lead to a relapse, which can be very challenging to recover from.

2. A Multi-dimensional Approach to Treatment

Addiction is a complicated mental health condition, as there are a multitude of reasons that could explain why people become dependent on substances, as these reasons may differ for each client.

Because of this, drug and alcohol addiction rehab services in Northern Ireland utilise a multi-dimensional approach to treating substance misuse.

Their recovery programmes contain biological. psychological, social and spiritual interventions, which take into account different elements of a client’s circumstances and life history when treating them.

3. Individual care for each client

Because addiction is a complicated psychological disorder, we strive to understand the background and circumstances of every client entering our treatment service.

This helps us their chosen rehab to ensure they devise a programme that specifically meets the client’s individual needs.

Every client therefore will follow their own personal recovery programme.

To learn more about how a drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland can help you beat addiction for good, call our expert team on 0800 111 4108

Residential (inpatient) drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland

Research has indicated that residential rehab is the best option for treatment for drug and alcohol treatment and overall it is more likely to lead to positive outcomes.

There are, however, many highly regarded outpatient treatment options available.

Staying in a safe and secure location whilst undergoing rehab can maximise the chances of a client achieving recovery, so clients can work on their individual programme in a location committed to recovery with no negative influences present to disrupt their progress.

For the 1-2 months clients spend in a residential setting they are surrounded by medical and mental health experts who are always available around the clock to advise and support them and monitor their progress.

Clients on outpatient programmes will not have such swift access to support as they will be living in their home environment.

Get the help you need to overcome addiction at a residential drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland by calling us today on 0800 111 4108

Advantages of residential drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland

There are many advantages to attending residential rehab, including:

• Clients undergoing detox treatment can be reassured that medical and emotional support is close at hand during the early stages of substance withdrawal when they are at their most vulnerable.
• The residential rehab setting allows clients to gather strong momentum in their recovery, living in a substance-free environment with expert care constantly available.
• Clients who have been living in disordered and unsupportive environments can gain order and structure in their lives and receive support to ensure they remain calm and focused as they work through their treatment programme.
• Clients will have access to proven treatment for addiction.
• Clients who have relapsed after receiving treatment on outpatient programmes can benefit from an intense and disciplined recovery plan in a residential setting with no distractions around to cause them to relapse.

Experience all the benefits of a residential drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland for yourself by calling us on 0800 111 4108

How long do residential rehab programmes last?

The standard length of residential drug and alcohol rehab programmes is 28 days, as this is deemed to be enough time to complete detox treatment and help clients work through the emotional issues that led to their addiction.

The established drug and alcohol rehab centres in Northern Ireland use a combination of pharmacological, psychological and holistic therapies to help clients overcome their addictions.

For a personalised prediction of how long your stay at a drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland is likely to take, call our team on 0800 111 4108

What is detox like?

It is common practice to start the treatment process with a pharmacological intervention, which is popularly known as a detox (detoxification).

The aim of detox treatment is to remove all the toxic elements of substances from the bloodstream and the tissues linked to key organs throughout the body

The residential treatment centres we work with are highly experienced in treating alcohol dependence and guiding patients through the vulnerable early stages of withdrawal.

Withdrawing from alcohol too suddenly can lead to patients experiencing seizures, particularly if they have been drinking high levels of alcohol for a long time.

Highly experienced medical specialists are permanently present to monitor clients as they pass through detox and are on hand to offer medication to help reduce the impact of withdrawal symptoms.

Drug rehab centres in Northern Ireland offer detox programmes for many drugs including heroin, LSD, and ketamine, as well as detox for prescription drugs such as Valium diazepam or temazepam.

There are several processes used to help clients detox safely from drugs.

To treat heroin dependence, rehab centres use substitute drugs such as methadone and buprenorphine to control withdrawal symptoms. Methadone and buprenorphine are ideal for helping patients detox from heroin.

This is because they are chemically similar enough to heroin to eliminate withdrawal symptoms but are not nearly as harmful or addictive.

This ensures patients going through detox come to no further harm, but are physically stabilised and able to engage with their psychological therapy programme.

Tapering is the gradual, incremental reduction of a drug over a period of weeks or months which is designed to slowly eradicate withdrawal symptoms until the client is no longer physically dependent on a drug.

Each client will have their own tapering regime carefully calculated by medical experts to ensure they withdraw from any drug safely and gradually.

To help make the detox process more comfortable for all client, there will be highly trained staff at hand at all times to provide appropriate medication and self-management techniques.

This ensures that any withdrawal symptoms that appear – such as insomnia, anxiety, headaches, nausea and flu-like symptoms – are not so intense.

Research has indicated that clients are more likely to make it safely through detox if they have access to emotional support throughout the duration of the detox treatment.

All rehab centres have trained and qualified staff on hand to reassure and encourage clients around the clock during their detox treatment.

This is particularly essential for clients detoxing from heroin or other opioid drugs as the cravings they experience are strong, persistent and can be very challenging to deal with.

Ensure that your detox is safe and effective with the help of a drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland by giving us a call on 0800 111 4108

Psychological therapies used at rehabs in Northern Ireland

Once a client’s physical dependence has been brought under control, they can then begin their psychological rehabilitation to help them let go of their emotional reliance on the substance.

To achieve this, rehab centres include several different types of psychological therapy which can help clients:

• Manage their thought processes to prevent them from becoming overwhelmed.
• Deal with stress and the strong emotions that they encounter in everyday life.
• Cope effectively with high-risk situations.
• Avoid environmental triggers that could lead to relapse.
• Achieve a peaceful and calm mind.
• Manage social interactions more efficiently.

The therapies used as part of the psychological interventions programme include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps to ensure clients eradicate negative thought patterns which lead to psychological distress and replace them with positive thought patterns which boost their self-esteem.
• Motivational Interviewing sessions keep clients motivated and committed to treatment as any doubts or drop in motivation can be talked through with a therapist.
• Dialectical behavioural therapy teaches clients strategies to deal with the strong emotions that usually overwhelm them and lead to substance use.

These three are staples of most recovery programmes, but they are far from the only therapies available.

Many other forms of therapy are used at rehabs across Northern Ireland, depending largely on the individual needs and preferences of the client.

Peer support groups

It can be very important for clients to attend peer support group meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous as part of their psychological rehabilitation.

There will be meetings available to attend throughout Northern Ireland during the time clients spend in rehab, which they will be informed of and encouraged to attend.

These meetings can form the cornerstone of a client’s recovery plan and are based on the AA’s 12-step principles of fellowship and mutual support.

These principles have been identified as highly beneficial in helping people gain the support they need to sustain their motivation for recovery.

Group therapies

Most rehab programmes will include group therapy sessions facilitated by qualified therapists.

These can be very beneficial for clients as it makes them more self-aware of their internal psychological processes and how they tend to interact with others.

Attending regular group therapy helps clients to understand what it feels like to become part of supportive groups, in which they both receive support from and offer support to others.

The group setting also helps members improve their communication skills.

Family therapy

Many people who develop substance misuse difficulties have endured a difficult upbringing and unhealthy family dynamics.

If assessed as appropriate for the client, family therapy can help to resolve any long-term difficulties and address any negative communication patterns that may have developed over the years to help the client and the whole family move on.

Contingency Management

Contingency management has proven to be an effective strategy for helping clients maintain their motivation for recovery, and in enabling them to abstain from using drugs and alcohol.

Contingency management uses the concept of financial rewards and material gifts to reinforce abstinent behaviour.

This approach is based on the principle of operant conditioning, which is a central theme in the behaviourist approach to psychology which believes the idea of punishment and reward can influence human behaviour.

Clients will obtain their rewards when they show evidence of their commitment towards treatment and their belief in the programme, for example attending all therapy sessions and group meetings or producing a clean drug test.

To experience all of these treatments and more at a drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland , give our team a call on 0800 111 4108

Aftercare considerations

All drug and alcohol rehab centres throughout Northern Ireland ensure that the clients who enter their addiction programmes receive a comprehensive aftercare plan prepared for them before they leave their residential programme.

The aftercare plan will contain:

• Information regarding support group meetings in their area (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, SMART Recovery, etc.)
• Regular contact with a support worker from the rehab centre, whether in person or via a remote provider
• Continue to rehearse and implement the relapse prevention strategies learned on their residential rehab programme.
• Modify aspects of their lifestyle that are not conducive to recovery, e.g. healthy diet and regular exercise.
• Set personal life goals to work towards (e.g. education and employment).
• Build meaningful social relationships and establish links with the local community.
• Explore their spiritual beliefs as they continue their 12-step work.
• Regularly check in with 1-1 therapist.

Ensure that your stay at a drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland is matched with an equally effective aftercare plan by calling us on 0800 111 4108

How much does residential rehab for addiction cost?

The cost of residential rehab is almost always more expensive than outpatient treatment, due to the expenses that come with running and maintaining a premises and all the staff overheads.

There are addiction rehab centres that can offer treatment for as little as £1,000 per week and as much as 10,000 per week.

However, private clients can expect to pay a rate of £500 per day for a reliable and professional drug and alcohol residential rehab service in Northern Ireland, which over a 28-day programme works out at £14,000.

Some rehab centres accept payment in instalments, and some clients can cover the cost of their residential rehab through health insurance policies that they or their employer hasve taken out.

For a more personalised prediction of how much your stay at a drug and alcohol rehab in Northern Ireland is likely to cost, call us today on 0800 111 4108

Getting Help Today

To find the right drug and alcohol addiction rehab in Northern Ireland for your unique needs, get in touch today.

We’re here to answer any questions you may have about our service and about how we can help.

To find out more, contact us today on 0800 111 4108. Alternatively, you may also contact us through this website’s contact form.

Get help for addiction across Northern Ireland, including in Belfast, Derry, Newtownabbey, Bangor, Castlereagh, Lisburn, Newry and many more.